Denmark First Veil Ban Fine Imposed

Denmark Parliament had banned women from wearing any veil in May and the measure had to come in effect from August. Denmark First Veil Ban Fine Imposed

According to Danish police a 28 year old women was fined 1,000 Danish Kroner ($155) on Friday in north of the capital, Copenhagen.

Fines will range from 1,000 Danish crowns ($160) for a first offense to 10,000 crowns for a fourth violation.

Following a dispute on Friday between the two woman, one wearing the veil and another woman, during which the former’s face covering came off. Police were called to a shopping mall and both women received fines for public disorder.

Critics say the legislation’s real target is the Islamic face veil, which will criminalize muslim women who choose to wear niqab or burqa.

European Lawmakers have been doing this for a while. In one place they talk about gender equality, women rights and on the other hand they fear women covering their faces. A ban on wearing the full-face veil in public went into force in France in 2011. Full-face veils restrictions are also in place in Belgium, Austria and some parts of Switzerland, while others have debated on the issue.

Lawmakers in Quebec, Canada have also passed a bill last October, that would require public workers and citizens seeking government services to have their faces uncovered.

Denmark First Veil Ban Fine Imposed

Protesters in Copenhagen

As the law went into effect Wednesday hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Copenhagen with burqas and other face veils on their faces. Police said they would not enforce the ban during the protest because people had the right to demonstrate.